Benefits available to someone unable to work due to health

fannyanna

I’m trying to gather some information on benefits for a family member. Basically this person has ill health and whilst employed full time has had to have the majority of the year off work due to their ill health and is very worried that they are going to lose their job.

To try and put this persons mind at ease I’d like to be able to give them some information on any benefits that may be available to them if the worst were to happen. Obviously fingers crossed that they don’t lose their job.

Having never claimed benefits before I don’t really understand how the system works although having looked at a couple of websites I’ve got a bit of a basic understanding as to what may be available.

I see there is a DLA benefit (which I appreciate you have to be assessed and certified as unfit for work in order to claim). Can this be claimed in conjunction with another benefit such as income support or is this claimed instead of income support?

This family member (who is single if that’s relevant) lives in a council property so I presume if claiming some form of income benefit they’d also be entitled to housing benefit.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

nannytone_2

DLA has nothing to do with being unable to work. many people claim DLA at the sa,e time as working.

It is for care/mobility needs.

ESA is for people unable to work due to illness/disability and can be claimed alongside DLA.

if your relative is unable to work due to illness and their SSP has run out, they should be claiming ESA. they could also claim DLA if their ilness has been ongoing for 3 months and is expected to last at least another 6 months. they must also be able to show evidence for care/mobility needs

housing benefit/council tax benefit do not rely on the claimant being in receipt of any means tested benefit. anyone on a low income can claim

fannyanna

nannytone wrote: »

DLA has nothing to do with being unable to work. many people claim DLA at the sa,e time as working.

It is for care/mobility needs.

ESA is for people unable to work due to illness/disability and can be claimed alongside DLA.

if your relative is unable to work due to illness and their SSP has run out, they should be claiming ESA. they could also claim DLA if their ilness has been ongoing for 3 months and is expected to last at least another 6 months. they must also be able to show evidence for care/mobility needs

housing benefit/council tax benefit do not rely on the claimant being in receipt of any means tested benefit. anyone on a low income can claim

I see.

Thank you for your post and for pointing me in the right direction.

So if you claimed ESA would you get anything like income support?

MrsManda

fannyanna wrote: »

So if you claimed ESA would you get anything like income support?

No. You cannot get IS if you are getting ESA.
As Nannytone said, he may also be able to claim low income benefits such as Council Tax Benefit and Housing benefit.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171891

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018708

nannytone_2

income support is only available to lone parents with a child under 7 and for carers.

Esa is for sick/disabled people and is paid at a higher rate than JSA, to reflect the higher needs.

DLA can be claimed alongside ESA, but as i said previously, evidence would need to be shown of greater care/mobility needs.

for example...
for low rate care a person would either have to be unable to prepare a cooked main meal for themselves ( even if all the food was available) or have to need someone to keep an eye on them for limited periods.
for middle care they would have sustained personal care needs ( washing/dressing/toileting, or someone to keep an eye on them) either troughout the dare or the night.
for high care they would have these needs 24/7

for low mobility they would need someone with them when outdoors to make sure they were not in any danger.
for high mobility they would need to be unable, or virtually unable to walk.

fannyanna

Thank you both.

From what you've said I think if this person were to lose their job they'd possibly be eligible for ESA (but not DLA as they don't really have care needs as such) and would then likely get housing benefit. They already get council tax benefit as they live alone.

fannyanna

I have another question......

It looks like they'd get full housing benefit and council tax benefit if they were eligible for ESA. Would the housing benefit also cover service charges or just rent?

Would they get any help with utility bills.

Mrs_Arcanum

HB will cover what can be included as rent. This will vary as to the accommodation. A single person flat may well have service charges that should be covered by HB. Utilities (ex water) can only normally be covered up to 70% for shared accommodation along with anything provided on a shared basis. The Housing Officer will be the best person to advise. LA tend not to be quite so helpful.

seven-day-weekend

fannyanna wrote: »

I have another question......

It looks like they'd get full housing benefit and council tax benefit if they were eligible for ESA. Would the housing benefit also cover service charges or just rent?

Would they get any help with utility bills.

AFAIK it does not cover service charges, nor is there Government help with the utilities (although some utility companies do have special tarriffs for people on certain benefits).

sleepless_saver

Even if someone is not able to do their present job, it doesn't necessarily mean they will get ESA. There are lots of threads on this board about people's experiences. Have a look at this link which will tell you more about ESA, and what is expected of claimants.

If someone doesn't get ESA, the alternative is claiming jobseekers allowance.

How old is your relative? (can be relevant to some benefits).

CandyApocalypse

I think you have already had some good advice based on the above posts, so will just add what I can really.

My partner is signed off for health reasons, and for some reason gets income support, plus DLA, plus housing benefit and council tax benefit. Be aware however that housing benefit may not cover all of the rent that your friend currently pays. Because we were unable to find a one bedroom place, we have to find an extra £20 a week to pay the rent on our private accommodation, and rates have been cut again (we're currently protected for a year)

Regarding utilities, it may be worth your friend calling them up. I know for example that a lot of energy companies will offer free insulation for those in receipt of certain benefits. E-on currently has an offer where you send back a form, and if you qualify you have a chance of getting £120 towards heating costs this winter.

I also know that from speaking to certain utilities, those in receipt of ESA and mobility related DLA etc do have a chance of getting special tariffs - water in particular, but it does only apply to those affected mobility wise.

Good luck to your friend anyway.